[She falls into step behind the android and lets her lead the way, doing her best to avoid paying much mind to all the eyes on her. She's used to people staring, albeit for different reasons— at least here, it's with curiosity, rather than with sneers or hateful jeering, and part of the reason she dressed the way she did was to invite people to stare. Couldn't be self-conscious about the way people looked at her if she knew they wouldn't be able to do anything but. It had helped her to steel herself to the way people flinched when she walked by, or steered their children away when they saw her get a little too close to the village for comfort, but this was something else entirely, and she's not prepared for this in the same way.
Even being human— or at least mostly— she can understand where 2B is coming from well enough.]
Guess it's the same for anyone. Nervous means you're not focused. If you're doubting yourself, then it's like getting in your own way. Can't fuckin' win that way.
[At least that's how she sees it. She goes into every fight with everything she has— hard, unwilling to stop until she has no choice but to do otherwise. Maybe they aren't so different, even if she's the odd woman out here.]
How long's it been? Since you guys saw humans here.
[She drops down to sit on a crate next to where 2B has dropped the fish, lowering her own armload to join the pile.]
Even being human— or at least mostly— she can understand where 2B is coming from well enough.]
Guess it's the same for anyone. Nervous means you're not focused. If you're doubting yourself, then it's like getting in your own way. Can't fuckin' win that way.
[At least that's how she sees it. She goes into every fight with everything she has— hard, unwilling to stop until she has no choice but to do otherwise. Maybe they aren't so different, even if she's the odd woman out here.]
How long's it been? Since you guys saw humans here.
[She drops down to sit on a crate next to where 2B has dropped the fish, lowering her own armload to join the pile.]
When she closes her eyes, as if fighting something inside her, he takes note of that. It's a feeling he knows well - the malice that accumulates every time he finds himself in a fight makes him react in a similar way.
"Look," his hands go up, placating. He's not one to talk himself out of a fight...he thinks. As it is, he's reluctant to get into it, especially with stalker lady who seems prepared to stab him in the face. He likes his face, he wants to keep it. "Give me five minutes, I can explain what you're..sensing."
Or whatever the hell it is she's doing. The urge to jump into a fight is there, it's strong and prodding him to some action, but there's another part of him that resists, demanding patience.
"Look," his hands go up, placating. He's not one to talk himself out of a fight...he thinks. As it is, he's reluctant to get into it, especially with stalker lady who seems prepared to stab him in the face. He likes his face, he wants to keep it. "Give me five minutes, I can explain what you're..sensing."
Or whatever the hell it is she's doing. The urge to jump into a fight is there, it's strong and prodding him to some action, but there's another part of him that resists, demanding patience.
[Near the pit, there's a box of matches on the table left out for anyone who wishes to rekindle the fire, and without a word, 2B picks it up, lights one, and throws it into the wood. The fire forms easily, small at first, but it will get big enough for them to cook over in time.
She sits too, posture stiff with her back straight and hands resting on her knees. She mulls over the answer.]
The humans fled to the moon in 11939. Seven years ago.
[Or so she's led to believe. 9S has yet to return to a working state, and so the news of what really happened hasn't been shared with 2B yet.]
We didn't think we'd see another. Not until we ended the Machine War. Humans created us androids to fight, so that's why the Resistance is watching.
[She gestures to the gate, where several of them stand, wide-eyed and in shock. She can't exactly blame them, though. Imagine meeting the species that created a whole other one. Yours.]
They're friendly. You don't have to worry.
She sits too, posture stiff with her back straight and hands resting on her knees. She mulls over the answer.]
The humans fled to the moon in 11939. Seven years ago.
[Or so she's led to believe. 9S has yet to return to a working state, and so the news of what really happened hasn't been shared with 2B yet.]
We didn't think we'd see another. Not until we ended the Machine War. Humans created us androids to fight, so that's why the Resistance is watching.
[She gestures to the gate, where several of them stand, wide-eyed and in shock. She can't exactly blame them, though. Imagine meeting the species that created a whole other one. Yours.]
They're friendly. You don't have to worry.
Five minutes is a better offer than she would have expected. Though her instinct is to brush it aside and trust her own gut, something about him gives her pause— demons, as she knows them, aren't inclined to talk, to try and make peace. If nothing else, should he try to take the opportunity to make a break for it, she trusts herself to be fast enough to catch up to him before he can go very far.
Fine.
She exhales, lowering her sword so that the blunt end of it rests against the ground, leaning her own weight against it as her free hand comes to settle against her hip.
"Fine. Start talking. Any sudden movements and you're just asking for me to rip out your guts and hang them like streamers, though."
Just so he knows.
Fine.
She exhales, lowering her sword so that the blunt end of it rests against the ground, leaning her own weight against it as her free hand comes to settle against her hip.
"Fine. Start talking. Any sudden movements and you're just asking for me to rip out your guts and hang them like streamers, though."
Just so he knows.
Edited 2020-09-07 21:23 (UTC)
[The contrast between them is sharp as they both make themselves comfortable, 2B sitting with her impeccable posture while Kainé leans forward to clasp her hands together and rest her arms against her knees, feet spread apart and, generally, leaving very little to the imagination for anyone who might happen to glance their way, as is her custom.]
The moon. No shit. I heard a couple of other people say something about that, but I thought they were joking.
[Right. Androids probably don't joke.]
Figured maybe they just didn't want to tell me we were extinct or something.
[If she can still consider herself a human, anyway. She follows 2B's gesture, a very faint but wry smile tugging at one corner of her mouth when she sees the people standing there and staring. Considering the situation... yeah. She really can't blame them.]
They've been alright so far. Just... I don't usually expect people to be friendly. Know we've been over that before, but— I'm not real popular where I come from.
The moon. No shit. I heard a couple of other people say something about that, but I thought they were joking.
[Right. Androids probably don't joke.]
Figured maybe they just didn't want to tell me we were extinct or something.
[If she can still consider herself a human, anyway. She follows 2B's gesture, a very faint but wry smile tugging at one corner of her mouth when she sees the people standing there and staring. Considering the situation... yeah. She really can't blame them.]
They've been alright so far. Just... I don't usually expect people to be friendly. Know we've been over that before, but— I'm not real popular where I come from.
The mental image has his nose scrunching up, expression showing just how disgusting the idea is. No, thanks, crazy lady, he's happy enough with his guts inside where they belong.
"I'm able to turn into monsters or demons or whatever it is I'm fighting. Not a total copy, but I can pick up skills from them. I kinda gather malice after a fight - the souls of the monsters I've beat." Somehow. If he doesn't sound entirely sound, that's because he's going off information from Roger. Who is barely alive as it is. "Listen, my memory is basically gone, and it's a long story, but you're probably sensing that malice part. I got a thing I do to clear it out but haven't done it in a while."
As soon as this is out, he realizes just how insane it sounds. Probably stupid, too. Then again, she's the one accosting him in an alley and threatening to turn his insides into party decorations. No way in hell is he going to volunteer details on his soul forming a graveyard inside him. He's still not figured that bullshit out.
"I'm able to turn into monsters or demons or whatever it is I'm fighting. Not a total copy, but I can pick up skills from them. I kinda gather malice after a fight - the souls of the monsters I've beat." Somehow. If he doesn't sound entirely sound, that's because he's going off information from Roger. Who is barely alive as it is. "Listen, my memory is basically gone, and it's a long story, but you're probably sensing that malice part. I got a thing I do to clear it out but haven't done it in a while."
As soon as this is out, he realizes just how insane it sounds. Probably stupid, too. Then again, she's the one accosting him in an alley and threatening to turn his insides into party decorations. No way in hell is he going to volunteer details on his soul forming a graveyard inside him. He's still not figured that bullshit out.
But this isn't the same place.
[It's said in her usual firm manner, but it's meant to be reassuring.
She wonders if it's a human tendency to compare. It's not as if she can blame Kaine, considering how each human seems to be so different from the next. They aren't built with personality prototypes like the YoRHa androids are, so there's no telling what they're going to get. So far, Kaine seems pretty alright!
The fire between them roars, growing in size, and she takes that as enough of a signal to skewer one of the fish.... with the end of her sword... and holds it over the fire.]
Why weren't you well-liked?
[It's said in her usual firm manner, but it's meant to be reassuring.
She wonders if it's a human tendency to compare. It's not as if she can blame Kaine, considering how each human seems to be so different from the next. They aren't built with personality prototypes like the YoRHa androids are, so there's no telling what they're going to get. So far, Kaine seems pretty alright!
The fire between them roars, growing in size, and she takes that as enough of a signal to skewer one of the fish.... with the end of her sword... and holds it over the fire.]
Why weren't you well-liked?
It would be a tall tale for some to swallow, probably, but for those reasonably familiar with demons themselves and the supernatural aspects of the world, not so much. Even so, the power he claims to have is supposed to be a pretty rare one, isn't it?
Her brows draw downward, scrutinizing him, followed by an irate huff of breath.
"Prove it."
If he can transform into a demon, then he should have no problem showing her. Admittedly, she's the last person who should be casting doubt on the abilities of others, but her own situation is... something of a special case.
"Come on, Sunshine, he as good as 'fessed up. So he's not a demon all the time. That's still part demon, right? Run him through, make him bleed!"
She shuts her eyes again for a moment, a vain attempt to stop Tyrann from hissing in her ear.
"Show me what you can do. Maybe then we can come to some kind of an arrangement."
Her brows draw downward, scrutinizing him, followed by an irate huff of breath.
"Prove it."
If he can transform into a demon, then he should have no problem showing her. Admittedly, she's the last person who should be casting doubt on the abilities of others, but her own situation is... something of a special case.
"Come on, Sunshine, he as good as 'fessed up. So he's not a demon all the time. That's still part demon, right? Run him through, make him bleed!"
She shuts her eyes again for a moment, a vain attempt to stop Tyrann from hissing in her ear.
"Show me what you can do. Maybe then we can come to some kind of an arrangement."
Now he's gotta prove himself to this weird lady and her seemingly sharp sword. Even if it came to a fight, he would have to transform anyway, right?
It's with a hefty sigh, as if she's asking him to do so much, the pain begins.
It's in his head, at first. It always starts there. A white hot flash behind his eyes, and even during his transformation he has to hold back. Hold what back, he doesn't truly know - something big, something dark. Something that threatens to consume him entirely.
For now, though, he keeps it simple - using dark energy, his body forms itself anew...sorta. His clothes are still on (thankfully), and for all she can see his hair turned white, his skin a sickly purple, his shoes...they gone, gurl.
Once it's complete, he rolls his shoulders, stretching his neck from one side to the next. He then spreads his arms out, as if to say Ta-da.
It's with a hefty sigh, as if she's asking him to do so much, the pain begins.
It's in his head, at first. It always starts there. A white hot flash behind his eyes, and even during his transformation he has to hold back. Hold what back, he doesn't truly know - something big, something dark. Something that threatens to consume him entirely.
For now, though, he keeps it simple - using dark energy, his body forms itself anew...sorta. His clothes are still on (thankfully), and for all she can see his hair turned white, his skin a sickly purple, his shoes...they gone, gurl.
Once it's complete, he rolls his shoulders, stretching his neck from one side to the next. He then spreads his arms out, as if to say Ta-da.
"Shit."
Eloquent. Descriptive. For the first time, Kainé's eyes go just a bit wide. She's seen countless monsters in her day, all kinds of demons during her hunt for the one responsible for her grandmother's death, but this...
She's never seen anything quite like it. Even what she herself can do is different in nature. Parts of her change, sure, but not like that.
"You weren't fucking kidding."
Eloquent. Descriptive. For the first time, Kainé's eyes go just a bit wide. She's seen countless monsters in her day, all kinds of demons during her hunt for the one responsible for her grandmother's death, but this...
She's never seen anything quite like it. Even what she herself can do is different in nature. Parts of her change, sure, but not like that.
"You weren't fucking kidding."
He does a strange imitation of a huff, hands pointedly going to his hips. Realizing it's hard for anyone to take him seriously in this form, especially if they aren't cowering in fear, he grunts and shakes his head.
Fuck it. He closes his eyes, concentrating on his form -- his human form. It's always a little bit of a struggle, and a small sliver of worry always wraps itself around his heart, squeezing just a bit and making him wonder what if. What if he gets stuck like this? What then? Does he run around and eat people or something?
Within a few moments, he's back to looking human, a hand pressing against his head as if he's in pain. It's like the world's most shitty migraine, if only for a few seconds, and he shakes his head to try to clear his brain.
"Yeah, if you've got any questions, I'm gonna tell you right now - I ain't got half the answers." Unless he question involves what he likes to eat - everything.
…maybe he's a little hungry.
Fuck it. He closes his eyes, concentrating on his form -- his human form. It's always a little bit of a struggle, and a small sliver of worry always wraps itself around his heart, squeezing just a bit and making him wonder what if. What if he gets stuck like this? What then? Does he run around and eat people or something?
Within a few moments, he's back to looking human, a hand pressing against his head as if he's in pain. It's like the world's most shitty migraine, if only for a few seconds, and he shakes his head to try to clear his brain.
"Yeah, if you've got any questions, I'm gonna tell you right now - I ain't got half the answers." Unless he question involves what he likes to eat - everything.
…maybe he's a little hungry.
Well, even if doesn't have half the answers, that's not going to stop her from asking her questions anyway. It looks like the whole ordeal takes a lot out of him when he changes back, and she doesn't envy him that in the least— given how painful her own abilities can be sometimes, being able to change your entire body has to be on another level.
Shit, how does someone even get like this?
"How long have you been able to do that?"
Was he just born that way, the way she had been born a little bit different?
Shit, how does someone even get like this?
"How long have you been able to do that?"
Was he just born that way, the way she had been born a little bit different?
He's just gonna shrug at this one. 'Cause he truly has no idea - how long, where it came from, what it is, exactly.
"I dunno, I guess my whole life?" Even to him he sounds like he's incredibly unsure, so maybe he should just be up front. "Something happened and my memories..."
He waves a hand in the air, indicating he was wiped clean.
"Took a while to get some answers from an old geezer," his annoyance is very clear, and he's still tempted to just toss Roger Bacon off a cliff. The troll would probably survive and bounce right back up to boot Yuri in his own ass. "I'm trying to figure out the rest. Just got my name and a few basics."
"I dunno, I guess my whole life?" Even to him he sounds like he's incredibly unsure, so maybe he should just be up front. "Something happened and my memories..."
He waves a hand in the air, indicating he was wiped clean.
"Took a while to get some answers from an old geezer," his annoyance is very clear, and he's still tempted to just toss Roger Bacon off a cliff. The troll would probably survive and bounce right back up to boot Yuri in his own ass. "I'm trying to figure out the rest. Just got my name and a few basics."
"Shit."
He doesn't remember anything beyond that? Tempted as she is to continue handling this situation with extreme skepticism, something about that strikes a chord with her. To forget who she was, or where she came from, to not be able to have answers to the most basic questions— it sounds like a goddamn nightmare.
Poor bastard.
"Raw fucking deal you got."
He doesn't remember anything beyond that? Tempted as she is to continue handling this situation with extreme skepticism, something about that strikes a chord with her. To forget who she was, or where she came from, to not be able to have answers to the most basic questions— it sounds like a goddamn nightmare.
Poor bastard.
"Raw fucking deal you got."
I'M SINGING THE WORDS TO A SONG THAT I DON'T KNOW. Post game bullshit? Everyone lives?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
heseesonlyher
2021-09-19 09:00 pm (UTC)(link)
What does a man who has been so caught up in the plights of the world do when there is no longer a world that needs his intervention? It's a question that Nier asks himself each day that he rises, faces himself in the looking glass as he trims and grooms the scraggly facial hair that dots along strong jaw line. In a simple room over is his daughter, an existence he didn't realise he could come back with. In the face of hopelessness, somehow...
They've managed to come out of it unscathed. How? He's asked himself that plenty of times as well. Is this the real world, or is simply a dream created from everything he's ever wanted? It's unrealistic in the world that everyone can be saved. It's unrealistic that he can partake in the world with those he considers closest. Yet that seems to be the way of it, doesn't it? His brow furrows, a hand tracing along his jaw in thought.
His work never ends. He still runs errands. Still travels. Still misadventures for the sake of those of the village, a name synonymous with 'home.' When he steps out for the day after exchanging a hug with Yonah, her words echo with him.
"Don't be out too late, Dad, otherwise dinner will get cold!"
He wears a weakened smile. He's made plans on this day. At least, they'll be plans if he can find the one they involve. Kainé is a wild spirit. Always has been. Unrestrained. A storm with no leash at times, though one he has come to appreciate. Difficult to hold onto, but despite whatever may sometimes leave her mouth, her heart and her intentions have always been purely good. In her, he has found a confidant. A particular spark of affection that he doesn't always acknowledge the way he'd like to.
Broadsword slung over his back, he eyes the sky, squinting into the distance. The village is a good ten minutes by foot behind him. She's never much liked visiting it and he understands why, despite the idea that she's ever infinitely welcome in his home, at his table, for she too, is family.
"What's the best way to catch a Kainé?" he contemplates aloud, the grim little smirk growing. "Obscene words."
It's a joke, really. If she was a fish, he'd catch her with every swear word he knows. He hopes he won't have to resort to that, however.
They've managed to come out of it unscathed. How? He's asked himself that plenty of times as well. Is this the real world, or is simply a dream created from everything he's ever wanted? It's unrealistic in the world that everyone can be saved. It's unrealistic that he can partake in the world with those he considers closest. Yet that seems to be the way of it, doesn't it? His brow furrows, a hand tracing along his jaw in thought.
His work never ends. He still runs errands. Still travels. Still misadventures for the sake of those of the village, a name synonymous with 'home.' When he steps out for the day after exchanging a hug with Yonah, her words echo with him.
"Don't be out too late, Dad, otherwise dinner will get cold!"
He wears a weakened smile. He's made plans on this day. At least, they'll be plans if he can find the one they involve. Kainé is a wild spirit. Always has been. Unrestrained. A storm with no leash at times, though one he has come to appreciate. Difficult to hold onto, but despite whatever may sometimes leave her mouth, her heart and her intentions have always been purely good. In her, he has found a confidant. A particular spark of affection that he doesn't always acknowledge the way he'd like to.
Broadsword slung over his back, he eyes the sky, squinting into the distance. The village is a good ten minutes by foot behind him. She's never much liked visiting it and he understands why, despite the idea that she's ever infinitely welcome in his home, at his table, for she too, is family.
"What's the best way to catch a Kainé?" he contemplates aloud, the grim little smirk growing. "Obscene words."
It's a joke, really. If she was a fish, he'd catch her with every swear word he knows. He hopes he won't have to resort to that, however.
At her words, his shoulders sag, as if weighed down with the heaviness of just how raw of a deal he has.
"Yeah, no kidding." Shaking his head, he tries not to immediately dwell on all the unknowns about his life, especially this inside him. Malice or monsters or demons or what the hell ever it is.
Now that she seems less willing to eviscerate him, he eyes her cautiously. They're still in the shadows of the alley, but she's so pale she seems to reflect light on her own. That's a lot of skin there so he focuses on her face. Yes. That's it. Totally not looking anywhere else.
"So...no stabbing? I'm good? 'Cause I was gonna catch up to those guys --" And he pauses, realizing that there's no way in hell he'll find those assholes. He blows out a loud breath, as if deflating. "Never mind. Maybe I'll hunt down those idiots tomorrow."
"Yeah, no kidding." Shaking his head, he tries not to immediately dwell on all the unknowns about his life, especially this inside him. Malice or monsters or demons or what the hell ever it is.
Now that she seems less willing to eviscerate him, he eyes her cautiously. They're still in the shadows of the alley, but she's so pale she seems to reflect light on her own. That's a lot of skin there so he focuses on her face. Yes. That's it. Totally not looking anywhere else.
"So...no stabbing? I'm good? 'Cause I was gonna catch up to those guys --" And he pauses, realizing that there's no way in hell he'll find those assholes. He blows out a loud breath, as if deflating. "Never mind. Maybe I'll hunt down those idiots tomorrow."
It's the first time she can ever remember not having a purpose.
For years, the only thing she had cared about was revenge. When she finally had it, she was prepared to give up, to lay down and die and finally see her grandmother again, if the afterlife was kind enough— or real. Even that had been optimistic, given what she had become to achieve her ends, but it was something to hold onto. It was Nier who kept her from letting herself slip away, and from then on, she had been his sword— pledged to his cause, determined to fight until his family was put back together.
He had that, now, and while he had made it clear that she was welcome, she hadn't yet been able to bring herself to take him up on any of his offers to visit. She'd tried to go back to her hut outside of the Aerie, but as much as she'd insisted she would never miss the damn shithole, it didn't feel the same, knowing there was a gaping chasm right behind her shack where the town used to be.
No place felt right for her, not anymore. Maybe that was what had lead her in the direction of the village that day— she was out of options, and out of things to fight for. Just for the sake of it didn't feel like enough, not anymore, and without Tyrann driving her forward...
She felt like she'd been cut adrift. Human again, an echo of a girl she doesn't remember, the one who'd died along with her grandmother all those years ago, and she doesn't know what to do with herself.
She spots him in the distance before he can see her, and quickly scales the crumbled remains of an old world bridge to watch his approach from a high perch. She catches him ruminating aloud as he draws closer, and it's almost enough to make her smile.
He's looking for her.
"Hey, old man!" Her voice rings out clearly from somewhere above him, and she leans forward over the edge to peer at him, grabbing hold of one of the protruding iron bars to keep her balance. "Out hunting?"
For years, the only thing she had cared about was revenge. When she finally had it, she was prepared to give up, to lay down and die and finally see her grandmother again, if the afterlife was kind enough— or real. Even that had been optimistic, given what she had become to achieve her ends, but it was something to hold onto. It was Nier who kept her from letting herself slip away, and from then on, she had been his sword— pledged to his cause, determined to fight until his family was put back together.
He had that, now, and while he had made it clear that she was welcome, she hadn't yet been able to bring herself to take him up on any of his offers to visit. She'd tried to go back to her hut outside of the Aerie, but as much as she'd insisted she would never miss the damn shithole, it didn't feel the same, knowing there was a gaping chasm right behind her shack where the town used to be.
No place felt right for her, not anymore. Maybe that was what had lead her in the direction of the village that day— she was out of options, and out of things to fight for. Just for the sake of it didn't feel like enough, not anymore, and without Tyrann driving her forward...
She felt like she'd been cut adrift. Human again, an echo of a girl she doesn't remember, the one who'd died along with her grandmother all those years ago, and she doesn't know what to do with herself.
She spots him in the distance before he can see her, and quickly scales the crumbled remains of an old world bridge to watch his approach from a high perch. She catches him ruminating aloud as he draws closer, and it's almost enough to make her smile.
He's looking for her.
"Hey, old man!" Her voice rings out clearly from somewhere above him, and she leans forward over the edge to peer at him, grabbing hold of one of the protruding iron bars to keep her balance. "Out hunting?"
He knows that voice anywhere. He can remember the first time he's heard it, the sharp edge in it, the force behind it, a woman determined to wear both strength and femininity without one cancelling the other out. Those of the Aerie had cast her out and given her no place to call home. She had been, has been a creature of misfortune. That he's been able to add meaning to her life is an unparalleled joy. He acknowledges that nothing about their camaraderie has been one-sided. Kainé gives to him as much as he does the same for her.
In a way, she too, is his purpose. He knows better than to say it, however. She'd cut him off before he got more than a few words out, following up with some smart-ass comment. Quite possibly a punch if he's too close when he dares to say something sentimental to her. But he knows she doesn't reject the notion on the inside. It is simply that old habits die hard, if they die at all. His own habits remain glued to him, even if he has learned to compromise with them, to see past them.
They are both imperfect and flawed and in that, they find perfection.
"Hunting for a woman," he answers up to her, letting her little jab slide right on by. She's right, after all. Age has had its way with him and there is little in their empty, dystopian world that will save him from that fate. "Maybe you've seen her. Mouthy, intimidating, likes to argue with old men and books. Has a thing for white flowers."
And unforgettable. Of all things, Kainé is unforgettable.
In a way, she too, is his purpose. He knows better than to say it, however. She'd cut him off before he got more than a few words out, following up with some smart-ass comment. Quite possibly a punch if he's too close when he dares to say something sentimental to her. But he knows she doesn't reject the notion on the inside. It is simply that old habits die hard, if they die at all. His own habits remain glued to him, even if he has learned to compromise with them, to see past them.
They are both imperfect and flawed and in that, they find perfection.
"Hunting for a woman," he answers up to her, letting her little jab slide right on by. She's right, after all. Age has had its way with him and there is little in their empty, dystopian world that will save him from that fate. "Maybe you've seen her. Mouthy, intimidating, likes to argue with old men and books. Has a thing for white flowers."
And unforgettable. Of all things, Kainé is unforgettable.
Good call, Yuri. Keep your eyes up.
She sighs heavily, and her entire body relaxes into a more casual slump as a great deal of the fight rushes out of her. This whole thing is a pain in the ass, but more than what he says, it’s her gut that convinces her.
He’s not who she’s looking for. Probably not, anyway.
“No, no stabbing.” A beat, as she lifts her chin and looks towards the other end of the alleyway. “We could still catch them. What, you some kind of fuckin’ quitter?” Nevermind the fact that she’s the one who delayed him.
She sighs heavily, and her entire body relaxes into a more casual slump as a great deal of the fight rushes out of her. This whole thing is a pain in the ass, but more than what he says, it’s her gut that convinces her.
He’s not who she’s looking for. Probably not, anyway.
“No, no stabbing.” A beat, as she lifts her chin and looks towards the other end of the alleyway. “We could still catch them. What, you some kind of fuckin’ quitter?” Nevermind the fact that she’s the one who delayed him.
“Hunting for a woman? Pretty barbaric, if you ask me.”
The quip is almost immediate, and even from where he stands, the twitch of her lips into a lopsided smirk is visible— she never truly smiles, but Nier and Emil have each managed to get her close enough on more than one occasion. The description he gives is so accurate it’s laughable, and she settles for an amused snort in response.
“She sounds like a real piece of work.”
She leaves her perch then, standing long enough to push off of the rubble and and leap towards the ground, landing beside him in a low crouch. Close up, she notices that he looks… good. Happy. Life is as it should be for him— it makes sense. He doesn’t look as hollowed-out and hellbent as he had while Yonah was gone.
… good. She’s happy for them.
“Well, looks like you found me,” she goes on to remark, propping one hand against her hip and giving a vague gesture with the other. “If I’d known you were looking, I wouldn’t have made it so easy for you. Gotta keep you on your toes in your old age.”
His mind could go any day now, right?
The quip is almost immediate, and even from where he stands, the twitch of her lips into a lopsided smirk is visible— she never truly smiles, but Nier and Emil have each managed to get her close enough on more than one occasion. The description he gives is so accurate it’s laughable, and she settles for an amused snort in response.
“She sounds like a real piece of work.”
She leaves her perch then, standing long enough to push off of the rubble and and leap towards the ground, landing beside him in a low crouch. Close up, she notices that he looks… good. Happy. Life is as it should be for him— it makes sense. He doesn’t look as hollowed-out and hellbent as he had while Yonah was gone.
… good. She’s happy for them.
“Well, looks like you found me,” she goes on to remark, propping one hand against her hip and giving a vague gesture with the other. “If I’d known you were looking, I wouldn’t have made it so easy for you. Gotta keep you on your toes in your old age.”
His mind could go any day now, right?
He frowns at her, forgetting how a few minutes before she was threatening him and ready to skewer him.
She's questioning his very manhood. Or something like that. Whatever it is, he has some pride and he crosses his arms over his chest. Possibly trying to make himself look bigger.
"I ain't a quitter, damn." The last part is muttered, because he's actually not out to piss her off. She is kinda scary. "I just wanted to ask them some questions. They seemed like the recognized me and not in a good way."
Looks like he spent some time in Shanghai scaring some punks. He hopes.
"Don't remember the last time I was here, so if they got some info I'm gonna get it out of them. It's not that urgent." He shrugs, his words giving a more menacing tone to what he plans -- which is go loom over the guys and get details without doing much else. They did seem terrified of him.
"You go around accosting people in alleys often? What demon are you even looking for around here?"
She's questioning his very manhood. Or something like that. Whatever it is, he has some pride and he crosses his arms over his chest. Possibly trying to make himself look bigger.
"I ain't a quitter, damn." The last part is muttered, because he's actually not out to piss her off. She is kinda scary. "I just wanted to ask them some questions. They seemed like the recognized me and not in a good way."
Looks like he spent some time in Shanghai scaring some punks. He hopes.
"Don't remember the last time I was here, so if they got some info I'm gonna get it out of them. It's not that urgent." He shrugs, his words giving a more menacing tone to what he plans -- which is go loom over the guys and get details without doing much else. They did seem terrified of him.
"You go around accosting people in alleys often? What demon are you even looking for around here?"
His amusement is palpable, as if it could simply be cut with the nearest blade in hand. If she were anything less than the woman he's come to know her to be, Nier doubts his journey would have been filled with nearly as much mirth. Kainé and Weiss exchanges never failed to fill an otherwise bleak world with something Nier can only define as 'light.' Having one without the other is a curious notion. A missing piece to the portrait that has been otherwise completed. Still, Kainé remains a welcome sight.
A part of him is relieved that she hasn't seen it fit to simply dismiss him. If one had asked him if she would have chosen to continue associating herself with him following the end of their little adventure, he wouldn't have been able to answer such confidently.
"She's a real handful," he admits, though doesn't seem at all displeased to be putting all of his cards out on the table.
What use has he in hiding what he thinks? Where others have shunned her for so much of her life, Nier feels only a distinct fondness. An understanding. A desire to give her a place where she can belong. That even should she feel the rest of the world will not accept her, he and Yonah always will. It sounds so definite when he thinks it, and yet he knows very well that it is little more than adamant truth.
Kainé lands and as she rights herself, Nier rolls his shoulders. Age is catching up to him. Time sometimes feels like an irrelevant concept, but he knows it looms over him, pressing proverbial claws into his shoulders and pulling him down into some invisible abyssal embrace. Eventually, time will have its way with him, but he's willing to let the age jokes go for now. He's worked this hard for the life that he can live, after all. He wants to enjoy it. With his daughter. With Kainé. Wil Emil. With the memories that linger in the depths of him of simpler days and times.
"My toes might not work so well the older I get, but—" Nier presses the pad of his forefinger to the side of his nose with a grin that reflects the lopsided one she gives to him. To her, it may seem so simple, but to him, it's water and he is a parched desert. "I'm not an old man, yet. I'd still find you. Kainé smell. I'd detect you all the way down in Seafront."
A part of him is relieved that she hasn't seen it fit to simply dismiss him. If one had asked him if she would have chosen to continue associating herself with him following the end of their little adventure, he wouldn't have been able to answer such confidently.
"She's a real handful," he admits, though doesn't seem at all displeased to be putting all of his cards out on the table.
What use has he in hiding what he thinks? Where others have shunned her for so much of her life, Nier feels only a distinct fondness. An understanding. A desire to give her a place where she can belong. That even should she feel the rest of the world will not accept her, he and Yonah always will. It sounds so definite when he thinks it, and yet he knows very well that it is little more than adamant truth.
Kainé lands and as she rights herself, Nier rolls his shoulders. Age is catching up to him. Time sometimes feels like an irrelevant concept, but he knows it looms over him, pressing proverbial claws into his shoulders and pulling him down into some invisible abyssal embrace. Eventually, time will have its way with him, but he's willing to let the age jokes go for now. He's worked this hard for the life that he can live, after all. He wants to enjoy it. With his daughter. With Kainé. Wil Emil. With the memories that linger in the depths of him of simpler days and times.
"My toes might not work so well the older I get, but—" Nier presses the pad of his forefinger to the side of his nose with a grin that reflects the lopsided one she gives to him. To her, it may seem so simple, but to him, it's water and he is a parched desert. "I'm not an old man, yet. I'd still find you. Kainé smell. I'd detect you all the way down in Seafront."
“More often than you might think.”
Of all the things she’s done in her quest for vengeance, accosting someone in an alley is pretty low on the list of things that could be considered shocking. She gives a snort before shaking her head, dismissive.
“Not urgent, huh. Well, every minute you spend standing around here, they get further and further away. You want to hunt someone down, you have to be relentless— and as for what kind of demon I’m looking for, clearly the kind that gets around.” She doesn’t exactly look native to Shanghai, for one.
“He’s in this goddamn shithole of a city, I know that much.”
Of all the things she’s done in her quest for vengeance, accosting someone in an alley is pretty low on the list of things that could be considered shocking. She gives a snort before shaking her head, dismissive.
“Not urgent, huh. Well, every minute you spend standing around here, they get further and further away. You want to hunt someone down, you have to be relentless— and as for what kind of demon I’m looking for, clearly the kind that gets around.” She doesn’t exactly look native to Shanghai, for one.
“He’s in this goddamn shithole of a city, I know that much.”
She lets out a short bark of laughter; of their little traveling party, she was never the one who let herself come to smell like sweat and dirt and blood and dust, despite Weiss’ insistence on her being foul, but Nier has long since learned how to communicate with her. She doesn’t receive kindness or compliments well, doesn’t know how to— playful barbs are more comfortable. It’s a language she feels she can speak openly without making herself too vulnerable.
He’d probably be able to find her anywhere, if he put his mind to it. Just like she’d be able to find him— which she’d been on her way to do, though now that he’s here, she doesn’t know if she wants to admit that so readily.
“Guess that’s what I get for befriending a two-legged bloodhound,” she says idly, but she does manage another smile, tired and a bit forced though it may be. It’s good to see him like this— at all, really, but especially like this, in good spirits. Happy.
“How’s Yonah?” Her thoughts immediately turn to the only reason she can think of for that happiness. She can’t even entertain the thought that she herself might have played a part, but her concern is genuine. “Kid’s been through a lot of shit. She holding up okay?”
He’d probably be able to find her anywhere, if he put his mind to it. Just like she’d be able to find him— which she’d been on her way to do, though now that he’s here, she doesn’t know if she wants to admit that so readily.
“Guess that’s what I get for befriending a two-legged bloodhound,” she says idly, but she does manage another smile, tired and a bit forced though it may be. It’s good to see him like this— at all, really, but especially like this, in good spirits. Happy.
“How’s Yonah?” Her thoughts immediately turn to the only reason she can think of for that happiness. She can’t even entertain the thought that she herself might have played a part, but her concern is genuine. “Kid’s been through a lot of shit. She holding up okay?”
Wow I had this open for like an hour and never hit post.
heseesonlyher
2021-09-30 03:56 am (UTC)(link)
It's a better response than shut up, which Nier has heard plenty of in his misadventuring at her side. Or rather, hers at his, he supposes. In spite of the nature of their exchange, Nier's smile is a softer one, exposing a part of the man that he thought he'd lost. The state of the world has had an opportunity to take its way with him, destroying the hope that he's clung to in the face of ever-growing adversity.
Without even the hint of a pause, his initial response is what comes first—the closest thing to a bark that Nier can express. She'll love it, he's sure, and honestly with his tenacity, maybe comparing him to a dog isn't completely wrong either. He makes a note to ask Yonah about it later and see what her very professional opinion is like.
Kainé asks what is probably the most pertinent question that one could ask him. Truthfully, it almost seems as if his daughter has somehow been untouched by the situations that they've all been through. Is that the power of youth? Is it simply his desire to perceive things that way? Nier has a lot of questions, but tries not to overthink it too much. All that should really matter is how they're here now. In the present moment. Very much in the flesh.
...Or so it would appear, anyway.
"She's tough," Nier replies with an undeniable fatherly pride. "Always has been." Has never had a chance to be anything less than, unfortunately. "Some days it doesn't even seem like things are any different than they were before we ever found Weiss. She asks about you all the time, though. You should really reconsider spending more time with us. You're always welcome, Kainé."
She won't want to hear it, but he has to say it anyway.
Without even the hint of a pause, his initial response is what comes first—the closest thing to a bark that Nier can express. She'll love it, he's sure, and honestly with his tenacity, maybe comparing him to a dog isn't completely wrong either. He makes a note to ask Yonah about it later and see what her very professional opinion is like.
Kainé asks what is probably the most pertinent question that one could ask him. Truthfully, it almost seems as if his daughter has somehow been untouched by the situations that they've all been through. Is that the power of youth? Is it simply his desire to perceive things that way? Nier has a lot of questions, but tries not to overthink it too much. All that should really matter is how they're here now. In the present moment. Very much in the flesh.
...Or so it would appear, anyway.
"She's tough," Nier replies with an undeniable fatherly pride. "Always has been." Has never had a chance to be anything less than, unfortunately. "Some days it doesn't even seem like things are any different than they were before we ever found Weiss. She asks about you all the time, though. You should really reconsider spending more time with us. You're always welcome, Kainé."
She won't want to hear it, but he has to say it anyway.
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